For the first time ever, all four provinces are represented on the shortlist for the Zurich IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year Award.

Rory Best (Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Jack McGrath (Leinster) and CJ Stander (Munster) have all been nominated by their fellow professionals for the main award at a ceremony in the Double Tree Hotel on May 4.

The nominations are based on consistent form across the Pro 12, Champions Cup, Challenge Cup, World Cup and Six Nations.

The Nevin Spence Young Player of the Year – an award which Henshaw has won for the last three years – will also be announced. This year it is contested by a host of talented young players who have stormed onto the scene.

Leinster have two representatives in Gary Ringrose and Josh Van Der Flier, whilst Ulster’s blockbusting midfielder Stuart McCloskey rounds out the trio. The three players have had breakthrough seasons for their provinces with the latter two making their debuts for Ireland in the 6 Nations.

Amongst the other prestigious awards, the BNY Mellon Hall of Fame will take place on the night, with the recipient to be announced in due course.

Other awards presented on the evening include: The Volkswagen Try of the Year, The Irish Times Supporters’ Player of the Year, the Zurich Contribution to Irish Society Award, the BNY Mellon Women’s XVs Player of the Year, the IRUPA Women’s 7s Player of the Year, the Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa Moment of the Year and The Vodafone Medal for Excellence.

Commenting on the Awards night was Former IRUPA Board Member and Player of the Year 2015, Paul O’Connell: “To be nominated for an IRUPA Award is such a fantastic achievement, it really is a great honour to be recognised by your fellow players. I would like to congratulate all the nominees, wish them the best and hope they enjoy the night."

ZURICH IRUPA PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016

Robbie Henshaw Connacht

CJ Stander Munster

Jack McGrath Leinster

Rory Best Ulster

NEVIN SPENCE YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016

Josh Van Der Flier Leinster

Stuart McCloskey Connacht

Gary Ringrose Leinster

BNY MELLON IRUPA HALL OF FAME 2016

Recipient to be announced the week of 25th of April 2016

VOLKSWAGEN TRY OF YEAR 2016

Craig Gilroy Ulster v Scarlets Guinness Pro12

Jamie Heaslip Ireland v Italy RBS 6 Nations

Matt Healy Connacht v Grenoble Challenge Cup

SUPPORTERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016

Robbie Henshaw Connacht

Jack McGrath Leinster

Rory Best Ulster

Conor Murray Munster

Jonathon Sexton Leinster

CJ Stander Munster

Jared Payne Ulster

Matt Healy Connacht

ZURICH CONTRIBUTION TO IRISH SOCIETY 2016

The award will be presented at the ceremony on Wednesday 4th May 2016.

BNY MELLON WOMEN’S XVs PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2016

Sene Naoupu Galwegians

Paula Fitzpatrick St. Mary’s

Ciara Griffin Tralee

POWERSCOURT HOTEL MOMENT OF THE YEAR 2016

Voted by the public on Twitter @PowerscourtHtl #PHMoment16 the Rugby Moment of the Year will be unveiled at the Awards ceremony on Wednesday 4th May 2016.